Because of a possible decline in the dynamism of the advanced economies, the volume of Central American exports is expected to increase by 0.4% in 2018 and by 2.6% in 2019.

According to a report by the Secretariat of Central American Economic Integration (Sieca), a possible decline in trade dynamism in advanced economies is expected by the end of 2018, which could generate consequences in international markets, with downward scenarios in 2019, between two and three percentage points with respect to 2018. This is mainly related to growing trade tensions and more complicated market access conditions than in previous years, involving important trading partners.

A new information platform aims to identify the main disadvantages faced by companies that transport goods through the region in customs and paperwork management.

The Central American Economic Integration Secretariat (Sieca) presented the Trade Incidences Platform, which will compile information on the disadvantages that companies have in the areas of customs, transport, sanitary procedures, phytosanitary, import or export.

Varela administration signed 19 agreements with the Asiatic giant, including the meat, sea and fruit exports from Panama, and technological cooperation mechanisms.

In addition to the Free Trade Agreement between the two nations, the fourth round of negotiations took place weeks ago, and within the framework of the visit of Chinese President Xin Jinping to Panama, bilateral agreements on tourism, trade and agriculture were signed.

During the fourth round of negotiations between the two countries, rules of origin, customs procedures, market access, trade in services and others were addressed.

From the statement of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries:

The negotiating teams from Panama and the Popular Republic of China concluded today in the Panamanian capital the Fourth Round of Negotiations for a Trade Agreement with approaches in the chapters of Rules of Origin, Customs Procedures, Market Access, Trade in Services and others.

Plastic articles, pharmaceutical products and food preparations last year led the commercial exchange between companies from the Caribbean nation and Central American countries.

Figures from the information system of Commerce between Central America and the Dominican Republic, compiled by the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]

Panama appealed against the first instance ruling, which concluded that Colombia's restrictive customs control measures do not violate WTO rules.

From the statement of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries of Panama:

November 20th, 2018. The Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI) on behalf of the Government of Panama filed an appeal against the first instance ruling that found that the restrictive customs control measures implemented by Colombia do not infringe the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In this appeal, Panama claims errors in the interpretation of the rules on import restrictions and customs valuation that were argued in Colombia's request for review of its compliance with the judgments in Panama's favor.

After several rounds of negotiations, El Salvador formally joined the Customs Union process with Guatemala and Honduras, so it will have to adjust its systems to the community information platform.

Authorities from the countries of the Northern Triangle reported that since November 20th, El Salvador has been fully incorporated legally and administratively into the process of Deep Integration of the Customs Union between Guatemala and Honduras.

From January to September of this year, foreign sales totaled $531 million, resulting in a 5% increase over the same period in 2017, mainly explained by banana and sugar sales.

The most recent figures of the General Comptroller of the Republic detail that between the first nine months of 2017 and the same period of 2018 exports rose from $506 million to $531 million, an increase partly explained by the behavior of banana and sugar sales.

During the first six months of the year, countries in the region imported animal feed preparations for $254 million, 20% more than in the same period in 2017.

Figures from the information system on the Animal Feed Preparations Market in Central America, compiled by the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]

From November 19th to 23rd, the fourth round of negotiations will take place in Panama City, where issues related to the protection of sensitive products of the Central American country will be addressed.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported that in the previous three rounds of negotiations, progress has been made on intellectual property, sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

On November 12th, the VII Round of Negotiations for the inclusion of El Salvador in the integration process towards the free transit of individuals and goods between Guatemala and Honduras began in San Salvador.

The negotiations between the three countries will last the entire week and it is expected that this round of dialogues will address issues related to the customs, migration, sanitary and phytosanitary challenges facing El Salvador.

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